REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF BOARD GOVERNED COUNTY SERVICE AREAS
AND RECORD OF ACTION
July 23, 2024
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Special Districts
SUBJECT
Title
California Environmental Quality Act Findings and Plans and Specifications for the County Service Area 70 J Oak Hills - Water Main Relocations on Various Roads in Hesperia
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Acting as the governing body of County Service Area 70 J Oak Hills:
1. Find that the County Service Area 70 J Oak Hills - Water Main Relocations on Various Roads in Hesperia Project is exempt under California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Section 15302(c) Class 2 (replacement or reconstruction of existing facilities).
2. Approve the County Service Area 70 J Oak Hills - Water Main Relocations on Various Roads in Hesperia Project as defined in the Notice of Exemption.
3. Approve the plans and specifications for the County Service Area 70 J Oak Hills - Water Main Relocations on Various Roads in Hesperia Project.
4. Authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works - Special Districts to advertise the County Service Area 70 J Oak Hills - Water Main Relocations on Various Roads in Hesperia Project for competitive bids.
5. Direct the Department of Public Works - Special Districts to file and post the Notice of Exemption in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Improve County Government Operations.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). On January 9, 2024 (Item No. 59), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved an allocation of $1,200,000 from the First District’s Priorities Program budget for the County Service Area 70 J Oak Hills (District) - Water Main Relocations on Various Roads in Hesperia Project (Project). Sufficient appropriation for the Project is included in the District’s 2024-25 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets as needed.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The District currently provides for the maintenance and operation of over 3,200 water connections, wells, booster stations, storage reservoirs, and over 130 miles of water pipeline and is managed and administered by the Department of Public Works - Special Districts (Department). The Project involves waterline facility improvements at the following locations:
1. Rodeo Street - Topaz Avenue to Pitzer Avenue
2. Pitzer Avenue - Rodeo Street to Wells Fargo Street
The existing waterline facilities at these locations are shallow, making them susceptible to damage such as leaks and mainline breaks. The Project work will provide for the installation of new waterlines at the appropriate depth, which will make the waterlines less likely to be damaged, increase their longevity, and provide enhanced service to the community.
The Department reviewed the Project and determined that a categorical exemption exists in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15302(c) Class 2 is appropriate. The Class 2 exemption allows for the replacement of existing utility facilities involving no expansion of capacity. The replacement of the existing waterline will be within public right-of-way with no expansion of the waterline’s capacity. When the Board considers the environmental findings, the filing and posting of a Notice of Exemption is recommended.
In addition to the CEQA finding, this item seeks Board approval of the Project’s plans and specifications and authorization to advertise for bids.
PROCUREMENT
Upon Board approval of this item, the Project will be advertised in accordance with Section 22037 of the California Public Contract Code. The Department anticipates returning to the Board in November 2024 with a recommendation for award of the Project’s construction contract.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on June 27, 2024; Finance (Carl Lofton, Administrative Analyst, 387-5404) on July 5, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on July 8, 2024.